Portugal’s Olympic hero Nelson Evora has his sights set on Barcelona – European Athletics (EAA) – NEWS

Portugal's Nelson Evora was given a hero's welcome when he returned home from Beijing but the reigning World and Olympic Champion's thoughts have already turned towards glory in Barcelona in two years time.

"Now I want to win at the European Athletics Championships in 2010. It's the one big outdoor title that's missing from my collection. Maybe there I can become the first Portuguese jumper to win a gold medal at these Championships," said Evora.

Evora landed in Lisbon last Wednesday night to be greeted by family and friends, as well as hundreds of well wishers, all singing the famous anthem 'We Are the Champions.'

As a member of the Benfica sports club he was the guest of honour at the big derby between the two giants of Portuguese football, Benfica and Porto, on Saturday.

Evora showed in Beijing that he is the man for the big occasion, just like at the IAAF World Championships in Osaka last year, taking the lead with 17.67m in the fourth round and never relinquishing it.

"I'll be back to retain my title in London and I intend to get the Olympic record then. At 28, I'll be at my peak," added Evora

"I've won the world and Olympic titles so jumping over 18 metres has to be my next target. I'm not talking about breaking the world record [which Jonathan Edwards holds at 18.29m] at the moment as that's 55cm further than I've jumped at the moment, although ultimately that's something I want to do, but only two men have beaten the 18 metres barrier and I think I can be the third." added Evora.

Evora's gold medal, the only one won by Portugal in any sport, lifted some of the gloom that had descended on his country's camp in Beijing

He is also assured of becoming the face of Portuguese athletics, a huge responsibility in the run up to the country hosting the 2009 European Team Championships.

He will be metaphorically, and probably literally after his role at the Olympic opening ceremony, be carrying the banner for Portuguese athletics at the 2010 European Athletics Championships, which will be staged across the border in the Spanish city of Barcelona, if Francis Obikwelu, the 2006 European Athletics Championships 100m and 200m, goes through with his promise to retire at the end of 2009.

"It's good to give some happiness to the Portuguese people. Winning the gold lifted the pressure on my team mates as well. The atmosphere within the team had deteriorated a little because we'd been suffering some terrible criticism, with some people saying that we were having awful results because everyone was only out here for a holiday. I was sad when those kind of attacks were made to our team but at least they didn't destroy us," reflected Evora.

"When I think about how many millions of Portuguese people saw me on the medal podium getting my gold, and how many millions around the world, it still makes me tremble," added the Portuguese superstar.

European Athletics (EAA) – NEWS